West End opening of Strictly Ballroom delayed

The opening of Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom - The Musical will be delayed by two weeks with the first preview will now taking place on Thursday 28th March, with opening night of Thursday 24th April.

The musical, directed by Drew McOnie, is now due to open  at the Piccadilly after the current production of Annie starring Meera Syal ends on 18th February.

In a statement, the show's producers said: In order to allow for unforeseen schedule conflict, the first performance of Strictly Ballroom - The Musical will now take place on Thursday 28 March, with opening night on Thursday 24 April. Ticket holders will be contacted in due course by their point of purchase in order to reschedule dates.

The Wizard of Oz Live In Concert at Palladium

The 1939  motion picture The Wizard Of Oz takes over the London Palladium at 19:00 on Friday 13th April,  accompanied by a 60 piece orchestra, bringing to life the Oscar winning score like. The spectacular one off performance of the film in concert will be presented by Senbla.

Starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, the little girl who found herself very far from home, the film is illustrated by Harold Arlen's mesmerising songs, which have become standards of The Great American Songbook.


Featuring the Oscar winning Original Song, Over the Rainbow, the film is one of the very few to feature on UNESCO's Memory of the World register.

Buy Tickets for The Wizard of Oz

Full cast announced for Broadway's Pretty Woman: The Musical

Joining the previously announced Steve Kazee  as Edward and Samantha Barks in her Broadway debut as Vivian are Orfeh (Kit), Jason Danieley (Philip Stuckey), Eric Anderson (Mr. Thompson) and Kingsley Leggs (James Morse) with ensemble members Allison Blackwell, Tommy Bracco, Brian Calí, Robby Clater, Jessica Crouch, Anna Eilinsfeld, Matt Farcher, Lauren Lim Jackson, Renée Marino, Ellyn Marie Marsh, Jillian Mueller, Jake Odmark, Jennifer Sanchez, Matthew Stocke, Alex Michael Stoll, Alan Wiggins, Jesse McGraw Wildman, and Darius Wright

Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, Pretty Woman: The Musical will begin performances on Tuesday, March 13th for a five-week engagement at Chicago's Oriental Theatre. Broadway previews begin on Friday, July 20th  with opening night set for Thursday, August 16th. 

With an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, the musical features a book by Garry Marshall and the film's screenwriter, J.F. Lawton. The production will feature scenic design by David Rockwell; costume design by Gregg Barnes; lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Philip S. Rosenberg; sound design by John Shivers; hair design by Josh Marquette; and music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Will Van Dyke.

Chicago opening at Phoenix Theatre next March

Chicago the musical is to return to London's West End after five years. The show last toured in 2016. It will open at the Phoenix Theatre initially for one year beginning 26th March 2018.  Tickets will go on sale at 10:00 am on  December 20th . The West End run will be based on the UK and internationally touring production. Casting for the show is to be announced.

The show first opened on Broadway in 1975, and has been revived a number of times over the last four decades, including a 15-year Olivier Award-winning revival run from 1997 which closed in 2012. The musical includes some fantastic numbers including: All That Jazz, Razzle Dazzle and Cell Block Tango.The music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Directed by Walter Bobbie with choreography by Ann Reinking.

Unscrupulous chorus girl Roxie Hart is in prison for murdering her lover and trying to pin it on her downtrodden husband Amos, when she meets Velma Kelly who is a famous star and also a murderess. Both women will be hanged for their crimes if they lose their cases and will go to any lengths to escape execution.

So they form an unusual nightclub act, which they hope will keep them in the public eye and earn them fame, fortune and freedom. They enlist the help of sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn to assist them.

New Dirty Dancing tour starts September 2018

There is a new tour of Dirty Dancing  next year which opens at  Brighton Theatre Royal on 20th September before heading off  to UK venues which will extend into 2019 with further dates to be added.

Dirty Dancing is set in the the summer of 1963, and tells the story of 17 year old Frances "Baby" Houseman and how she learns some major lessons in life and a a thing or two about dancing!

While on holiday in New York's Catskill Mountains with her parent Baby shows no interest in the resort activities, until she stumbles across a staff party and catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor (originally played by Patrick Swayze in the film of the same name). Baby's life changes forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny's leading lady both on and off stage.

Dirty Dancing is a fabulous musical journey with some incredible dance routines. It has no less than 35 songs, including “Hungry Eyes”, “Hey Baby”, “Do You Love Me?” and the classic “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life.” 

Dirty Dancing  had its West End premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in 2006, where it ran for five years. It has since gone on to tour the world and returned to the West End in 2013, playing at the Piccadilly Theatre. It returned again to the Phoenix Theatre last year an went on an extensive tour which ended in September 2017

Casting news and more dates to follow.

Full cast announced for Eugenius! at the Other Palace

Updated 25th January:   ‘Star Wars’ legend Mark Hamill is providing the  voice of ‘Kevin The Robot’.

Mark Hamill is most famous for his roles on screen; in particular, playing the iconic role of Luke Skywalker in the ‘Star Wars’ film franchise. Mark is also renowned as one of the world’s leading voice actors and has voiced a number of character roles including ‘The Joker’ in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’, for which he won a BAFTA. Mark has also guest starred as a voice actor in the internationally acclaimed series, ‘Family Guy’ and ‘The Simpsons’.

 Mark said of his part in the production today, ‘I am thrilled to be the voice of a character in this new British Musical, and to be supporting Warwick in his new venture. ‘Kevin The Robot’ is a small but important cameo in this nostalgic show which is currently taking London by storm with a brilliant original soundtrack and story line’.

  Warwick Davis and Kevin Wood have announced the full cast for the  new musical “EUGENIUS!” which is coming to London for limited run at The Other Palace from 22nd January-3rd March 2018.

Making his London theatre debut is American born Liam Forde who will play the lead role of ‘Eugene’. Liam has performed in many shows across America and is looking forward to making his debut across the pond. Joining Liam is Laura Baldwin who will play Eugene’s love interest- ‘Janey’. Laura’s previous credits include UK Tours of “Shrek” and “Betty Blue Eyes” and currently she can be seen in ‘Big Fish The Musical’ at The Other Palace.

Joining them is Daniel Buckley (“Book Of Mormon”, “Loserville”) as Feris, Ian Hughes (“Guys and Dolls”, “The Lion King”) as Evil Lord Hector, Scott Paige (“The Addams Family”, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”) as Theo, Cameron Blakely (“Les Misérables”, “The Addams Family”) as Lex, Shaun Dalton (“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Beauty and The Beast” and “Les Misérables”) as Gerhard, Melissa James (“Bodyguard” UK Tour) as Carrie, Alexander Evans (UK Tour of “Sound of Music”, “Carousel”)as Eugene’s Dad and Alison Arnopp (“Dusty”, “The Tempest”) as Space Diva/Mrs T with Brian Gilligan, Jacob Fisher, Alex Tranter, Luke Dowling, Rosie Heath, Chloe Chambers and Frances Dee.

Written by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins, “EUGENIUS!”  tells  the story of Eugene, a teenage boy whose nightly dreams of a distant world of heroes and villains may just be the ticket to him creating his very own comic book movie in Hollywood.  Joined by his best friends ‘Janey’ and ‘Feris’, our comic writing genius must discover the true meaning of growing up, finding the superhero within, saving the world from both earthbound villains and possibly those from distant galaxies, and along the way, falling in love.

The production is produced by“Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” actor Warwick Davis who said, “I’m a huge fan of musical theatre and Eugenius! will be unlike any musical I have seen before. I was so hooked by Ben Adams’ brilliant, original songs and Chris Wilkins wonderfully witty story that I simply had to be involved as a producer. We are thrilled to announce the talented cast and can’t wait to get started in rehearsals to bring the show to life as a fully staged production. We have all the ingredients for Eugenius! to be something truly spectacular and I look forward to sharing it with audiences when it opens at The Other Palace in January.”

Ian Talbot will direct. He was previously the Artistic Director at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre for 20 years, for which he received an OBE. He has directed ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ and ‘Lend Me A Tenor’. The creative team is completed by Aaron Renfree who will choreograph, sound design by Gareth Owen, lighting by Andrew Ellis, musical supervision by Stuart Morley and musical direction by Darren Lord. Set and costume design will be by Hannah Wolfe and the show’s design features specially commissioned comic book artwork by Marvel artist, Simon Williams (Transformers, Spider Man, Marvel Heroes, The lncredible Hulk).

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Michael Ball & Alfie Boe release new Bring Me Sunshine Charity single

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe have recorded Bring Me Sunshine as a  single to raise funds for children's charity Rays of Sunshine .

The song  is synonymous with the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, and the super group created by Michael and Alfie was supported by singers, actors and entertainers including, Aston Merrygold, Bryn Terfel, Gareth Malone, Gregory Porter, Imelda May, Imelda Staunton, Kelsey Grammer, Miranda Hart, Seal and Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas along with  the Rays of Sunshine Choir, who are  children living with a serious illness.

The Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity , grants wishes for seriously ill children and teenagers across the UK with Ball and Boe so moved by its work that they wanted to do more. The artists and producers will forgo any royalties for this charity single and the proceeds from the release will go to the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity

They now hope that the single, which is released on December 15th  through Decca Records and Universal Music, will help to bring sunshine into the lives of desperately ill children.

You can order Bring me Sunshine by Michael Ball & Alfie Boe with The Rays of Sunshine Children’s Choir & Friends by sending a text message to 84222 (T&Cs – Texts cost £1 + 1 standard rate message. Help: 0333 0030 580. iPhone Compatible).

Extra show added to La La Land screening at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Updated 3rd May: due to overwhelming demand a matinee performance has now been added at 3:00 pm on 27th May.  Tickets are now on sale.

The Academy Award-winning film La La Land starring  Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is to be screened at Theatre Royal Drury Lane with a live orchestra at 18:30 on 27th  May 2018

The 2016 hit La La Land was the winner of six Academy Awards including Best Original Score and Best Original Song.Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the film has a score by Justin Hurwitz with lyrics by Dear Evan Hansen writing duo Pasek and Paul.

Buy tickets for La La Land 

Nativity! the Musical to tour again next year

Following sold out performances at The Eventim Apollo in 2017, Jamie Wilson, Entertainment One (eOne), Ramin Sabi and Belgrade Theatre Coventry have announced the return of Birmingham Repertory’s production of the tour  NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL next year opening in Coventry in Octoberand ending at The Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London for an extended Christmas run in 2018.

Written and Directed by Debbie Isitt with music and lyrics by Nicky Ager and Debbie Isitt, NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL is choreographed by Andrew Wright, designed by David Woodhead, with lighting design by Tim Mitchell, sound design by Tom Marshall and musical supervision and orchestrations by George Dyer.

NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL will first open at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on Tuesday 23 October 2018 and will then visit Liverpool, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Oxford before finishing the tour at The Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith from 19th-31st December. Casting news to follow.

Coventry Belgrade	23-28 October 2018	Buy tickets
Liverpool Empire	31 October-4 November	Buy tickets
Glasgow King's	7-11 November	Buy tickets
Milton Keynes Theatre	14-18 November	Buy tickets
Nottingham Theatre Royal	21-25 November	Buy tickets
Edinbugh Festival Theatre	28 November-2 December	Buy tickets
Oxford New	11-15 December	Buy tickets
LONDON Eventim Apollo Hammersmith	19-31 December	Buy tickets

 Producer, Jamie Wilson said “We are so pleased with the phenomenal success of the show and the spectacular run in London this year and are thrilled to be returning in December 2018 for an extended run at The Eventim Apollo. Next years production is going to be bigger and better, with more sparkle, more shine and more festive cheer than ever before and we are looking forward to touring the show across the UK before our final stop in London”.

Debbie Isitt said today “I am so proud of this fantastic musical we created for 2017 and the extremely talented cast that brought this show to life. So many families have had so much joy from our wonderful show and after a fantastic success we are delighted to go back on the road in 2018 and take our  sparkle and shine to brand new venues across the UK including a fantastic return to the magnificent Eventim Apollo in London - we can’t wait to get started!”.

Bat Out Of Hell breaks Dominion box office records

Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical  is returning  to London's West End next year, with performances starting on Monday 2nd  April. It  went on sale on Monday and has already broken box office records at London's Dominion Theatre, taking £350,000 on the first day.

It is currently running in  Toronto until 7th January 2018. Andrew Polec, winner of the Joe Allen Best West End Debut in the Stage Debut Awards 2017, and Christina Bennington are in positive negotiations to recreate their roles as the romantic leads, Strat and Raven, at the Dominion Theatre. Further casting is to be announced

As well as winning the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical, the show has just been nominated for  8 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical.

Details of Hamilton West End £10 daily Lottery

The Hamilton West End £10 daily Lottery opened on Monday 4 December for the show’s first preview performance on Wednesday 6 December 2017.

Patrons can apply for a maximum of two £10 Lottery tickets via the official Hamilton app or online. Each Lottery will open at 4:00 pm and close at 2:00 pm the following day. Within an hour of each Lottery closing, all entrants will be notified either through the app or by email with winners  receiving details of how to claim and pay for their Lottery tickets. To download the app or for further details, visit www.hamiltonthemusical.co.uk

Hamilton will re-open the newly rebuilt and restored Victoria Palace with previews beginning on 6th December 2017. The official opening night will take place on 21st December 2017 and it is currently booking to 30th June 2018.

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Oliver Savile, Anita Louise Combe and Ashleigh Gray to star in new production of Sondheim's Company

A new production of Stephen Sondheim's Iconic Musical COMPANY is being performed  at Aberdeen Arts Centre for a a strictly limited season from 1st to 10th February 2018

Following Aberdeen Arts Centre's 2016 smash hit production of Cabaret, the award-winning team returns with a brand new production of the iconic Broadway musical, Company, with support from Aberdeen City Council. From the legendary composer of Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods comes a dark comedy about life, love and marriage.

It's Bobby's 35th birthday party and his married friends are all asking the same question - will he ever give up his bachelor lifestyle and settle down?

Oliver Savile (Wicked, Phantom of The Opera) as Bobby ; Anita Louise Combe (Gypsy, Chicago) as Joanne and Ashleigh Gray (Elphaba in the UK tour of Wicked) as Amy lead a cast of West End stars including Simbi Akande as Martha, Kimberly Blake as Jenny, Stephen John David as Larry, Wayne Fitzsimmons as David, Jennifer Harding as April, Jaqueline Hughes as Sarah, Susie Mathers as Kathy, Lisa Anne-Wood as Susan and Barnaby Thompson as Peter.


Directed by Aberdeen born Derek Anderson,, Company is widely regarded as a trailblazing concept musical, exploring modern relationships. It set records when it opened on Broadway, being nominated for an astonishing fourteen Tony Awards and winning six, including Best Musical.

With songs including Marry Me A Little, You Could Drive a Person Crazy, Another Hundred People, and Being Alive Sondheim has described Company as the first musical in which he found his voice.

This production of Company will be choreographed by Lee Crowley, designed by Nik Corall, with musical direction by Nick Barstow, lighting design by Ben Pickersgill, video design by Norydas Genys, sound design by Mick Livermore, and casting by Lucy Casson.